Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA

Studies from Oregon State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the area of DNA vaccines published

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"The hair follicles have been shown to be the major portal of entry for DNA applied onto the skin, and it has been reported that the transfection of hair follicle cells occurs mainly at the onset of a new growing stage of the hair cycle. Using an anthrax protective antigen (PA) protein-encoding plasmid in mice, we demonstrated that the anti-PA immune responses were significantly stronger when the hair follicles in the application area were induced into anagen-onset stage than when in telogen stage. The anti-PA antibodies enabled the immunized mice to survive a lethal dose of anthrax lethal toxin challenge. The enhanced immune responses can be partially attributed to the enhanced antigen gene expression and plasmid DNA uptake in the skin area wherein the hair follicles were induced into anagen-onset stage. Moreover, the moderate dermal inflammation associated with the anagen induction may also have contributed to the enhancement of the resultant immune response," wrote D.S. Shaker and colleagues, Oregon State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The researchers concluded: "This represents a novel approach to enhancing the immune response induced by a topically applied DNA vaccine."

Shaker and colleagues published their study in Molecular Therapy (Immunization by application of DNA vaccine onto a skin area wherein the hair follicles have been induced into anagen-onset stage. Molecular Therapy, 2007;15(11):2037-43).

For additional information, contact D.S. Shaker, College of Pharmacy, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA..

The publisher of the journal Molecular Therapy can be contacted at: Academic Press Inc. Elsevier Science, 525 B St., Ste. 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA.

Keywords: United States, Corvallis, Anthrax, Biotechnology, DNA Research, DNA Vaccines, Genomics, Immunization, Medical Device, Molecular Research, Molecular Therapies, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceuticals, Protein Encoding, Proteomics, Therapy, Treatment, Vaccination.

This article was prepared by Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA via NewsRx.com.